Ch. 2471..2480
Chapter 2471
“Have I been out of sorts these few days, Jessica?” Caspian asked.
That’s too mild a description! In truth, you’ve even been worse than a walking corpse! You always drop
your cutlery when you’re eating, and you space out when you’re working. Even when you’re walking,
you’re often a hair’s breadth from getting hit by a car!
Worse still, you’re no longer asking me out to a movie or shopping dates! I always declined back then
because I’d been busy, but he has wilted now that I’m free, often looking dispirited instead.
“Tell me what exactly is on your mind now. Do you not love me anymore?” Jessica questioned out of
the blue, her voice colored with aggrieve.
“What are you saying, silly? How could I possibly not love you? You’re the woman I love most in this
lifetime!” Caspian answered, instantly hugging her tightly and kissing her tenderly on the forehead.
“Really? Did you also say this to Nancy Barrymore in the past?” Jessica quizzed bluntly without
considering his feelings in the slightest.
In her world, she had always believed that once two people started dating, they should be frank with
each other and tolerate the other person in everything.
“How did you know about me and Nancy?” Caspian asked with his brows deeply creased, chagrined.
“Look at how intimate you’re addressing her! Tell me, do you still love her now? Do you?” Jessica
questioned as she pinched his arm.
“Alright, listen here. Now, my mind is chock-full of you. Your countenance plays in my mind when I’m
sleeping, working, and even eating. How I wish to marry you right away and hold your petite hand
every day…”
Caspian’s confession truly astonished Jessica. She had always thought that he was a rough and
tumble man, but over time, she started realizing that he was actually a very gentle man. He was good
at making her happy and adept at sweet talk. Besides, he would protect and take care of her. On the
whole, he had every single quality a man ought to possess.
“Then, tell me what’s wrong with you lately,” Jessica murmured as she nestled into his arms.
“I’ve been feeling rather irritable lately. For some reason, I just worry that something would happen to
Larry abroad.”
At long last, he told her the truth.
Phew! Luckily, he’s worried about Larry and not Nancy Barrymore. Hearing that, a relieved smile
tugged at Jessica’s lips. But still, he’s too concerned about Larry!
Lifting her head, she bit him in disgruntlement.
“Ow… Why did you do that?”
“I bit you since you’re worried about your buddy instead of me,” Jessica muttered sourly while
glowering at him.
“That’s different! He’s my buddy, while you’re my wife!”
For some inexplicable reason, warmth flooded Jessica when she heard the word “wife.”
“Okay, I got it.” She continued snuggling into him, hugging him tightly around the waist with both hands.
“Caspian, did something happen to the company? It’s been such a long time, so why isn’t Larry back
yet?” Joan inquired in a low voice as she stared at the man before her solemnly, her expression stained
with unease.
“No, it’s just an ordinary business trip, Joan,” Caspian immediately fibbed.
Before Larry went abroad, he told Caspian that he was only to speak of the positive no matter what
Joan asked. Anything negative was strictly prohibited. Although Caspian was indeed extremely worried
about Larry’s safety, when it came to Joan, he would still choose to keep her in the dark.
“Really? But his business trips in the past never exceeded a week,” Joan fretted.
“Don’t worry, Joan. Larry is fine. The company has quite a lot of projects recently, so he’s advancing his
career,” Caspian explained.
But for some reason, Joan just couldn’t shake off the faint feeling of dread. Yet, she couldn’t put her
finger on it.
Perhaps I’m really reading too much into things. Considering Larry’s capabilities, he can’t be anything
else but fine.
Chapter 2472
“What’s wrong, Joan? Are you feeling down? How about I phone Jessica and have her accompany you
shopping?” As Caspian said that, he whipped out his cell phone and made the call right then and there.
“No, no, it’s okay. She’s rather busy these days, so don’t bother her.” Joan immediately waved at him
and left.
“What is it?”
A sleepy voice drifted out of the phone.
“Why are you still sleeping at this hour?”
Ugh! Why is this man such a busybody? So what if I want to sleep in? How is it his business that he’s
criticizing me as soon as I answer his call?
“Joan isn’t in a good mood today, so keep her company, okay? Just put your work aside first,” Caspian
continued.
All at once, fury consumed Jessica.
What’s the meaning of this? He’s showing zero concern for his girlfriend, yet he’s worried about
someone else’s girlfriend? Which of us is his woman, huh?
“Not okay!” Jessica exclaimed loudly, her voice filled with indignance.
Oh God, what’s her problem now? Wasn’t she just fine earlier? What’s with the one-eighty change?
And considering her fierce personality, I’m going to be bullied every day if we get married in the future!
“Please? I’m serious. Joan is feeling down, so she needs someone to keep her company. Larry isn’t
back yet, so accompany her shopping and perhaps catch a movie, okay?” Caspian persuaded.
Why should I? I’m feeling even worse than she is, yet who’s going to keep me company? Jessica tilted
her head to the side, her expression irate.
“I’m not in a good mood either,” she blurted.
That sudden declaration had Caspian’s heart abruptly dropping to rock bottom, and he shuddered.
Who pissed her off now? Don’t tell me I’m the one who did that?
“What’s wrong with you today, Baby? Who angered you? I’ll teach the person a lesson!” Caspian
hurriedly cajoled.
“Who do you think? Don’t you know who I spend most of my time with usually?” Jessica shot back
sarcastically.
Oh Lord! I’m done for! It’s really me who has offended her!
“I’m sorry, Baby. Forgive me, please? I’ll treat you to a meal later, okay? We’ll go and eat whatever you
want. Of course, I don’t mind if you want to eat me,” he murmured flirtatiously.
Gah! He’s teasing me again! Pouting, Jessica hung up the phone.
Joan is feeling down? But why? Is it because she misses Larry? If that’s the case, it’s no use even if I
accompany her shopping! Jessica mused as she applied makeup while staring into the mirror.
“Joan!”
“Why are you here? Didn’t I tell Caspian…”
“It’s okay! I’ve got nothing to do either, so let’s go shopping, followed by eating and catching a movie!”
Jessica clamored. “Today is girls’ day!”
Subsequently, the two women set out to have fun together.
However, no matter what they did and where they went, Larry’s countenance remained vivid in Joan’s
mind.
“Are you missing Larry, Joan?” Jessica suddenly asked while they were in a restaurant.
I’m not missing him. Rather, I’m worried. As Joan stirred her coffee, she heaved a long sigh.
“What’s the matter? Are you not happy?” Jessica pressed.
“I just feel that something has happened to Larry overseas,” Joan admitted.
Huh? That’s not likely, no? After all, Caspian hasn’t received any news! At a loss for words, Jessica
fisted her hands tightly.
“It’s been such a long time, but he’s not back yet. Besides, I even heard an unknown woman’s voice
while talking on the phone with him that day,” Joan continued.
In a flash, a light bulb went off in Jessica’s head.
Ah, she’s worried that Larry will betray her!
She gazed at the woman before her with a probing expression, her eyes dancing with mirth as she
chuckled lightly.
I never would’ve expected her to have such a concern!
“Don’t worry, Joan. Larry isn’t that kind of person. He really loves you a lot,” Jessica assured at once.
Of course, I know Larry will never do anything to betray me! But who can guarantee that the women
around him won’t hound him when foreign women are an open-minded bunch?
Chapter 2473
“Joan, if you’re really worried, why don’t you get Caspian to go over there and check it out?” Jessica
suggested.
Although Jessica was reluctant for Caspian to go overseas, she could empathize with Joan’s insecure
feelings. Besides, it would just be a short trip; he was not going to remain overseas forever.
“That’s alright. Caspian has been quite swamped lately. Let’s not put this on him.”
“Alright then, if that’s your final decision. Come on, let’s go for a movie,” Jessica said while pulling Joan
up and they left the restaurant in tandem.
“Hold up there, you’re walking too fast!” Joan cried after Jessica.
“Step on it, Joan, or we won’t make it!” Jessica did not slow down her pace.
Jessica’s high spirits and exuberance were infectious; Joan finally let her hair down and decided to
enjoy herself and have a good time.
After spending time shopping, eating, and watching a movie, both of them felt thoroughly relaxed.
“So, did you have a good time today?” Jessica asked while panting loudly.
“Oh, I certainly did! Thanks for everything you did for me today, Jessica. I feel much better after letting
my emotions out,” she said while patting softly at Jessica’s back.
“Hey, don’t mention it. I’m counting on you to do the same when I’m feeling down in the future, haha…”
The two then started chasing each other down the road like two street kids.
In the meantime, Caspian had attempted multiple phone calls to both Jessica and Joan, but to no avail.
“Why didn’t any of them answer their phones?” Caspian muttered to himself while checking the time on
the clock anxiously.
Forget it. I’ll just go. Caspian picked up his phone and left his office.
He had received a call from Larry a while ago urging him to go on an overseas trip immediately.
Caspian wanted to bid goodbye to Jessica and Joan in person before he departed the country. It now
seemed that the women were having so much fun they forgot about him.
“We should go. It’s getting dark out there,” Joan said to Jessica and made a gesture to leave.
“No, let’s just stay here. Caspian has been so busy he barely spends time with me. As for you, Larry is
not home anyway, you may as well stay here to keep me company.” Jessica became tipsy and her
speech was a little slurred.
“Come on, Jessica, you already had enough to drink. We should really head home before Caspian gets
worried,” Joan tried to reason with her.
“Don’t worry, I’m not even half drunk. I can still keep going!” Jessica said and dragged her back onto
the sofa.
The two of them were in a nightclub that was bustling with men and women dancing together under the
bright disco lights, some with their bodies closely intertwined. Joan and Jessica had chosen a corner
seat where they could have a good time without interruption.
“Jessica, can we please just go?” Joan pleaded while nudging her friend’s arm.
“No, I’m not going back now. Neither are you, Joan. Caspian has tasked me to cheer you up today. So
that’s what I’m going to do!” Jessica’s voice grew louder with each sip of wine she took.
Oh Lord, this woman is starting to give me a headache.
“Hey, ladies. Do you need some company?” A man appeared in front of them.
“No, I don’t need your company. Get away from us!” Jessica said and gave the man a hefty shove.
“Are you sure? Don’t you feel kind of lonely that you two ladies are drinking to yourselves?”
Undeterred, the man said while putting his arm on Jessica’s shoulder.
The nerve this sleazebag has for taking advantage of me! Thump! In the next moment, the man was
pinned onto the floor by Jessica.
“I’m so sorry. Please let go of my arm before it comes off!” the man pleaded helplessly.
Chapter 2474
Joan was flabbergasted at what Jessica was capable of.
“Piss off and leave us alone!” Jessica barked at the man.
Damn b*tch! This is not over! The man rubbed his nose and scuttled away.
“Jessica, that was incredible! When did you learn all these moves?” Joan asked in amazement.
“Caspian was worried that someone might take advantage of me when I get drunk, so he insisted that I
take this self-defense class. I’ve only just started not long ago. Isn’t this great? I’ll protect you from now
on!” the woman proudly declared.
That was some really good move. But the thing is, she’s not entirely sober right now. Joan let out a
resigned sigh and fell silent.
Meanwhile, the man who almost got his arm broken by Jessica reappeared at the scene with more of
his kind.
“It’s them!” the man announced loudly while pointing at Jessica and Joan in the corner.
“What are you doing?” Joan studied the men and grew anxious.
Jessica, on the other hand, was already dozing off on the table.
“Such a pretty girl with a nice curvy body. Only if her temper was better.” A man who appeared to be
the leader walked over and commented.
“I’m not drunk! Whoever says I’m wasted will be sorry!” Without any warning, Jessica picked up an
empty wine bottle and aimed it at a young man who stood merely yards away.
“Ahh!” The man winced in pain as blood started to trickle down from his head wound.
Turning her head back to their table, Joan found Jessica to be nodding off again, as though she did not
just hurl a beer bottle at a thug and break his head. Joan’s jaw dropped in astonishment.
Can anyone be this sober and hammered at the same time?
“Son of a b*tch! Wait till I—” the young man said while charging toward Jessica.
“Stop it!” The older man called out.
All of the man’s underlings froze on the ground as they waited for their leader’s instruction.
Such a unique woman; so feisty even in her sleep! Very interesting. The man continued to gaze
steadily at Jessica, who appeared to have passed out on the table, and smiled to himself.
“Boss, what do we do now?” a man asked.
“Leave us. I’m okay by myself here,” the man ordered. His eyes were glued to Jessica the whole time.
The few of his men were caught by surprise. In normal times we would have settled the issue and on
our way out by now. Something is off with him today.
“So, um, we’ll just go?”
“Yeah, and don’t come back here or wait for me.” The man waved at his underlings and gestured for
them to retreat.
Joan was baffled by the unexpected turn of events in the last few minutes.
What is going on here? Is this person planning something else in his head?
“Jessica, wake up!” Joan raised her voice while patting Jessica’s back.
“Miss, can’t you see that your friend is very tired, and she needs to rest right now?” the man
commented casually.
What’s up with this person? Joan ignored the man and continued to rouse Jessica from her slumber.
“Oh, Joan, what’s your problem? Stop being so uptight and let your hair down a little. We’re here to
have fun and enjoy our lives, aren’t we? Come on, let’s drink!” Jessica held out another glass of wine
and exclaimed boisterously.
“You’re right!” The man, too, raised his glass and clinked with hers. Joan could not help but gape at the
sight.
“You totally get me, my friend. She keeps worrying that someone is going to attack us in the dark. Can
you tell her that she worries for nothing? We’re living in a society where people are more civilized and
educated now, aren’t we?”
Chapter 2475
“You’re absolutely right. I must say, I really admire your attitude,” the man complimented.
What exactly is happening here? Are they just two peas in a pod, or this man is harboring something
malicious intent in his head?
“Excuse us, but she has had enough to drink for today. It’s time to go home,” Joan said to the man and
took over the wine glass from Jessica’s hand.
“I’m not drunk. I’m still sober!”
The man looked at Jessica and thought she was a cute drunk, whereas Joan had begun to feel uneasy
at the pair’s exchanges.
“Are you sure you have had enough?” The man questioned.
“You got it, my friend. I’ve had a lot of fun today. Let’s hang out again next time,” Jessica said while
slapping hard on the man’s shoulder. The woman then stood up and gestured at Joan to leave.
“Where are you going? Are you abandoning me?” The man cried after them.
“What abandoning rubbish are you talking about? It’s getting late now, don’t you need to go home?”
Jessica turned around and yelled at the man as though he had asked the dumbest question.
Jessica was probably the only person in the world who dared to point a finger at a mobster boss and
gave him a lecture. Joan shuddered at her friend’s unruly manners, but soon composed herself,
although she could not hide a glimpse of embarrassment in her eyes.
“Oh dear Lord. We should really go now,” Joan pleaded with Jessica.
“What Lord are you talking about, Joan?” Jessica lowered her head and almost tripped over herself.
“Why don’t I give you ladies a ride home?” The man said while making his way toward them.
“That’s okay, um, Boss. I’m still sober, so I have no trouble getting us back home.” Joan immediately
declined his offer.
“Boss? Who are you calling, Joan? I’m the boss who’s going to take care of you from now on!” Jessica
announced loudly while patted on her chest.
The man was thoroughly amused by what he had just witnessed.
I’ve never seen such an adorably childish woman in my life. Suddenly, the man extended his right hand
and pulled Jessica into his arm. The playful look in his eyes intensified.
“How about I call you Boss instead?” the man whispered into Jessica’s ear.
Their bodies were almost adjoined as their eyes locked for several seconds.
“Are you saying that you want to be my lackey?” Jessica put her palms on the man’s face and asked.
The man only smiled and nodded. This woman is going mad! What’s with this lackey business in this
pickle of a situation? If Caspian learns of this he is going to go through the roof!
“Jessica, we really need to move our feet now! There are many things for you to settle tomorrow,” Joan
reminded aloud.
“Oh, that’s right. I have to get up early tomorrow. I need to get some sleep!” Jessica suddenly
proclaimed and the two finally left in tandem.
The man fell into deep thought watching the women disappear from the corner of his eyes.
The nightclub was still loud and rowdy. But he had lost all interests.
“Say, you look rather lonely. Care to have a drink with me?” A woman in a mini skirt and low-cut tank
top walked over and put her hand directly on his chest.
The man pulled her into his embrace. The woman appeared to really enjoy herself when a chilly voice
rang, “From now on, stay away from me.” The man then flung the woman away without any emotion.
“Jasper, are you alright?” A few of his lackeys rushed in to check on their boss.
“Jasper, the two of them just walked off. Should we—”
“No, let them go. And nobody lays a finger on them, you get it?” Jasper growled.
“Yes, Sir!” The booming sound of which startled a few onlookers.
Chapter 2476
“Also, find out all the drunken girl’s information. I want to know everything about her.”
After leaving the nightclub, Joan helped Jessica sit down on a park bench. “Are you alright? Let’s just
rest for a bit here.”
“I don’t understand, why did you drink so much? It’s not like you need to wash down a heartbreak or
anything,” Joan murmured.
“Joan, I’m so sad. It hurts so bad.” Jessica revealed her true feelings all of a sudden and started
sobbing in Joan’s arm.
What on earth is happening? She was fine all day long, and now she just turned sorrow without any
warning sign?
Instead of pushing her for answers, Joan comforted the weeping woman by patting softly on her back.
It was quite a while before Jessica managed to gather herself.
“Jessica, tell me what’s going on,” Joan said while holding onto Jessica’s hands.
“I’m okay. Just needed to blow off some steam that’s all.” Jessica sniffled and wiped off the tears on her
face.
“Silly woman, do I look like a three-year-old to you? You can tell me anything. Is Caspian mistreating
you? If yes, I’ll call him up right now—”
“No, Joan. It’s not him. It’s a relative of mine. She called me up today and just lashed out at me over
the phone. She said I was a shameless and ungrateful b*tch…” Jessica finally confided in Joan.
According to Jessica, when her parents were still around, they had supported many of their relatives
financially. When they passed away and Jessica was in need of financial help to jump-start her
business, all the family members began avoiding her as though she was a contagious infection. It was
Larry who had helped her recover most of the debts from them. Many of her relatives started to hold
grudges against her ever since then.
“It’s okay, stop crying now. I’m sure they are just stuck in their own way that’s all,” Joan continued to
comfort her softly.
“They even cursed me and said they wanted me dead. But they are all my closest family members!”
Jessica’s voice choked up again.
Ironically, family bond is the strongest, yet most fragile relationship in the world. Joan sighed helplessly.
Her heart ached at the sight of her friend in such distress.
“Jessica, listen to me, you have absolutely nothing to feel sorry for. There’s no way we can please
everyone, so what we can do is focus on doing the right thing. The truth will speak for itself,” Joan
spoke softly.
Joan could empathize with Jessica because she, too, had been deeply hurt by someone she trusted
most.
Someone Joan thought as her best friend had been backstabbing her at every possible turn. This evil
woman was none other than Gabriella Ward.
“Alright now, let’s give Caspian a call so he can take you home,” Joan suggested.
“No, I don’t want him to see me in this mess.”
Amused by Jessica’s reply, Joan let out a chuckle and helped her up to wave down a cab.
“Enlighten me, why don’t you talk to Caspian about how you feel? You may feel better after letting it
out.”
“His work burden is as heavy as it is without me piling on with my own problems,” Jessica complained.
“That’s nonsense. I’m sure Caspian will lend an ear if you allow him.”
In the meantime, Caspian arrived at a hospital ward. “Larry, what happened to you?” he asked
anxiously. I had a bad feeling that something was off with him. Now I finally know why.
“It’s complicated. I’ll let you know in a minute, but can you promise not to mention any of this to Joan?”
Larry said calmly.
Caspian had always been loyal to Larry and never disobeyed his order. Given Larry’s condition,
Caspian agreed that it would be a good idea to keep this from Joan and Jessica so they would not
worry about him.
“Here’s your meatloaf,” said a well-dressed woman who just walked into the ward.
Caspian looked quizzically at the beautiful woman in great figure.
“Who’s this? Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Della looked at Caspian and then turned to Larry.
Chapter 2477
“This is my best friend, Caspian,” Larry replied.
“Hi, how is it going?” Caspian greeted the woman politely.
He smiled courteously at her. Caspian could tell from the woman’s demeanor that she came from a
prominent background.
“Hi, I’m Della, Larry’s girlfriend,” she replied bluntly.
Caspian was dumbfounded. Larry was stirred up by Della’s self-serving reply and growled at her,
“Della, watch your mouth!”
Despite his serious objection, Della did not seem to care at all about the man’s perspective.
“Um, Larry, care to explain what’s going on here?” Caspian stammered.
“It’s as simple as what you are witnessing. Larry Norton here is my boyfriend. I’m Della Duff, his
girlfriend,” Della announced matter-of-factly.
Her explanation did little to alleviate Caspian’s confusion as his gaze shifted between Larry and Della in
befuddlement.
How is this possible? Larry only has eyes for Joan, it’s unlikely that he has fallen for another girl. Was
there some kind of accident that I don’t know about?
“Caspian, don’t listen to her. It’s all nonsense,” Larry tried to explain.
“Why are you so shy? That’s not how I remember you,” Della said while lifting the man’s chin playfully
with her finger.
Why are they interacting so intimately? Caspian took a step back instinctively and attempted to retreat
from the ward when the man on the hospital bed called out, “You stop right there!”
Caspian stopped midstride and asked, “Yes, Larry?”
“Who said you can excuse yourself?” Larry barked.
Caspian floundered, not knowing what to do next. Do I just stand here while the two flirt? I can’t watch
that any longer! At last, he smiled awkwardly and fell silent.
“There’s something I need to discuss with Caspian. Leave us alone,” Larry said aloofly to Della.
Instead of being offended by the man’s indifference, Della paused briefly before retreating from the
ward.
“Nice meeting you.” Della patted Caspian’s shoulder and smiled sweetly.
“Come over here!” Larry bellowed at Caspian who was left in a daze.
“Hey, Larry. What’s your order? Just say the word and it’ll be done.”
He can’t possibly believe Della’s blabber? Larry studied the man’s expression closely.
“Can you just pretend you haven’t seen anything just now?”
But I did see what happened! Caspian found himself in a great dilemma as he scratched the back of his
head.
“Can’t you do it?” Larry asked.
“Frankly, it would be a lot easier if you just tell me what happened between you two.” This will make
more sense than forgetting what I have seen.
Larry pondered on Caspian’s suggestion. Given his impulsive personality, it is quite possible that he
may accidentally blab about Della in front of Joan.
After much deliberation, Larry decided to come clean and told Caspian about everything that had
transpired.
“Larry, you should have told me sooner. You have no idea how much we were concerned for your
safety back home. Although you didn’t tell us you had been in an accident, Joan and I were so worried
we couldn’t sleep every night thinking that something terrible might have happened to you!” Caspian
was practically yelling at the end of his sentence.
This was the first time he raised his voice at Larry.
Nevertheless, Larry was not offended, knowing that Caspian had just channeled his concerns into
anger.
“Haven’t I just told you everything? Can you please calm down?”
Caspian fell silent. The air became still in the room as tension grew. Caspian sat down on the sofa and
tilted his head away from Larry to demonstrate his protest.
Since when has he become such a child? Larry looked at Caspian and wondered to himself.
Chapter 2478
Must be bad influence from Jessica.
“So, how’s Jessica? Is she alright?” Larry tried to change the subject and deescalate the tension in the
room.
“She’s alright. Everything is okay back home. We were just worried about you,” Caspian replied.
“That’s good.”
In a corner outside Larry’s ward, Della said to her bodyguards, “Don’t worry about the Caspian fellow.”
“You got it.”
“But don’t let down your guard on Larry.”
She knew that Larry had called Caspian over to assist him in a plan that he was not ready to share with
her.
In another development, Malcolm was imprisoned in a hotel by his brother. He was now watching
television in a hotel room while his limbs were all tied up.
“How is it going over there, Malcolm?” Matthew asked with a smile.
“Can’t complain,” Malcolm answered nonchalantly.
Right now, I’m just thankful to be still alive.
“Tell me, Malcolm, how did you know Della and what’s your relationship with her?” Matthew shot his
brother a few questions at once.
Malcolm was slightly taken aback but soon pretended that he had heard nothing and let out a chuckle.
What’s he laughing about? Matthew darted to his brother’s side and glared at him with unblinking eyes.
“Speak!”
“There’s not much to talk about. I’ve collaborated with tons of people in the past. I can’t possibly
remember each one of them, can I?” Malcolm teased.
He knew that the sudden appearance of Della on the scene could have something to do with Larry. I
know Larry, he will try to save me at all costs.
“Well, she is going to acquire our company.” Matthew tried to dangle a piece of information as bait.
Huh? Is he worried now? Malcolm sneered.
He should have worried a long while ago. If he had demonstrated any managerial quality in the past, I
wouldn’t have needed to work myself so hard all these years.
“Your phone is ringing.” Malcolm glanced at the coffee table and reminded his brother.
“Hi, Ms. Duff, to what do I owe the pleasure for this phone call?” Matthew feigned an excited voice as
he spoke loudly into the phone.
“Mr. Matthew, how’s the consideration coming along?” Della asked indifferently on the line.
What consideration? There’s no way I’m considering that!
“Ms. Duff, I’m not trying to be difficult. But the fact is, my brother is really busy at the moment.”
Here we go again. If he likes to dance, let’s dance.
“Well, in that case, you’re leaving me no choice. If I don’t see Mr. Lancaster by this afternoon, I’ll start
working at your office tomorrow morning,” Della said while preparing to hang up the call.
“Hold on, Ms. Duff. Let’s talk for a moment, shall we?” Matthew pleaded.
This woman doesn’t allow any room for discussions at all! A menacing smile flashed across Della’s
face as she said, “Alright then, I’m willing to wait until 12 a.m. tonight. After that, your company is
mine.”
The woman ended the call before Matthew could respond.
That b*tch! Why is she in such a hurry? Matthew started to pace anxiously in the room.
He did not want anyone meeting his brother. His plan was to let Malcolm disappear quietly from the
surface of the earth. But his current situation did not allow him to expedite his plan. He was now caught
between a rock and a hard place.
Malcolm, who was sitting on a sofa, looked at his brother with a satisfied smile on his face.
It usually takes a crisis for someone to discover their talents, sometimes even grow into leadership.
Unfortunately, he just doesn’t have what it takes to be in a leader position.
“So, not knowing what to do next?” Malcolm broke the silence.
Matthew shot him a nasty glance but did not utter a word. He did not anticipate things to get out of
hands so quickly.
“You really have some guts to have crossed Ms. Duff!” Matthew complained loudly.
Malcolm looked away and avoided his brother’s glare. This matter must somehow concern me, or
Matthew will not have shown up here at this hour.
“You are going to meet with her tonight,” Matthew finally announced.
Chapter 2479
Meet that Della? Malcolm whipped around to fix him with an incredulous stare, waiting for what
Matthew had to say next.
“She asked for you specifically. And don’t try anything,” his brother warned him.
“Try anything”? He wasn’t as cruel as his merciless little brother who would do anything and everything
in order to achieve his goals.
“Is it about the partnership?” Malcolm asked.
There was no other reason why Matthew would allow him to go meet Della.
“Yes. As long as you get her to agree to cooperate with us, our company will expand by miles and
miles. So you absolutely have to get her on board, alright?” Matthew suddenly softened, clutching
Malcolm’s arm tightly as he pleaded.
So he does care about the company’s future! This newfound revelation comforted Malcolm somewhat.
Later, the three of them gathered at a fancy Western restaurant.
“Ms. Duff, this is my elder brother and the owner of our company,” Matthew politely introduced them to
each other over the dinner table.
She slowly lifted her head to stare at Malcolm, nodding silently in acknowledgment.
“Hello, Ms. Duff.” Malcolm reached his right hand out.
“Hello,” she replied, shaking his hand.
At least she has manners. He faintly smiled as he glanced over the woman in front of him. Beside him,
Matthew’s mouth fell open. He had never once seen Della smile since the first time he met her.
It seemed there was much more to their relationship than it appeared on the surface.
“Right. Mr. Matthew, I need to have this conversation with Malcolm alone, so I’d appreciate it if you left
us for a while,” Della said, turning her attention to him.
Is she chasing me away? What the hell! I’d been the one who set up this meeting between them!
“Of course. I’ll be in the washroom if you need me.” With a stony expression, he got up from his chair
and made a beeline for the restaurant’s washroom.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Lancaster. Larry sent me,” Della cut straight to the chase.
Malcolm merely smiled and didn’t say anything. He’d long guessed that this had been Larry’s idea.
She picked up her phone and dialed someone’s number, speaking curtly into the receiver, “Your friend
is right in front of me. Talk to him.” She then handed the phone to him.
He knew what she was doing, and played along.
After being in the business sector for a while, you eventually develop a sort of silent understanding with
other businesspeople. In other words, Della wanted him to prove his identity.
“Mr. Lancaster, it’s me, Larry,” the man on the other side immediately greeted.
Malcolm’s voice shook as he told Larry gratefully, “Mr. Norton, how are you doing? I’m very thankful
that you’ve been keeping me in your thoughts all this while.”
“I’m fine, Mr. Lancaster. Don’t worry about me,” Larry reassured him. “I’ve asked Della to come and
rescue you, so don’t be scared.”
The two of them exchanged a few more simple sentences before Malcolm handed the phone back to
Della, who ended the call.
“Keep it brief; what is Matthew’s objective? To force you off your high position and take control of the
company? Or to kill you?” Della had never been a fan of beating around the bush.
“Both,” he answered in a low voice.
If it weren’t for her fierce requests to meet up with him, his little brother would have had him buried six
feet under a long time ago.
“Do you have a plan?” she inquired.
“He’s completely taken control of me and the company, as well as ruined my reputation.”
Not many people believed that Malcolm would have done such horrible things for his own profit, but
there were also some out there who believed that there wouldn’t be smoke without a fire.
“Alright. Leave everything up to me,” she nodded, picking up a piece of meat and savoring it deliciously.
Out of nowhere, Matthew suddenly appeared by their tableside. “How are things getting along with my
brother, Ms. Duff?”
Chapter 2480
In the hospital ward, Caspian was sitting by Larry’s bedside, feeling simultaneously desperate and
helpless.
“When can we go back to the country, Larry?”
“What? But you’ve just arrived?” Larry shot back with another question. Caspian hung his head.
Able to tell that Caspian likely missed his lover back home, Larry spoke up, “Go make a phone call to
Jessica.”
The man slowly pulled out his phone and shot Larry a grateful smile before running out of the room.
Larry took a glance at his own phone and opened up the gallery app, staring wistfully at his photos.
Ding! A text had come in from Joan.
What are you doing?
Those four simple words encompassed all of the love and care she had for him.
I’m working, he instantly replied. His phone didn’t ring again after that.
He’d sent that on purpose, knowing that she would not bother him while he was at work. He didn’t have
any other idea as to how he could hide everything that was happening from her.
“Where’s Larry?” Nancy asked Joan pointedly.
“He’s out of the country for a business trip,” came Joan’s flat answer.
“When is he coming back?”
“I don’t know. He seems a little busier than usual, but he said he’ll be back soon.”
So Joan was still unaware. Nancy sighed, staring at her friend with sad eyes.
She’d always been of the opinion that Larry and Joan’s love was one of the purest, strongest things on
earth. Now, that didn’t seem to be true anymore.
“What’s wrong, Nancy? Is something on your mind?” Joan instantly paused what she was doing.
There was indeed something on her mind, but she couldn’t tell her that it concerned Joan’s and Larry’s
future together.
“Nothing! All I’m thinking about is my husband and my child,” she shrugged it off.
Patting her shoulder reassuringly, Joan said, “You’re so lucky. Look how cute your kid is! Hi, sweetie!”
She reached her hand out, laughing as she tickled the baby happily.
Her heart skipped a beat when she realized that it’d been a long time since she’d seen such a young
child.
“If you like babies so much, why don’t you try for another one with Larry?”
“What are you talking about? I don’t have the time,” Joan rolled her eyes. Nancy’s face fell, doubting
that time was the real problem at hand.
Jory, also on a business trip out of the country, had unexpectedly bumped into Larry and Della.
He’d seen how closely she clung to Larry and had told Nancy about it, which was why she couldn’t
bring herself to look Joan in the eye without feeling a pang of guilt.
“I heard that Gabriella was discharged from the hospital,” she brought up. She saw Joan’s movements
freeze for a split second before returning to playing with the baby, pretending as if she hadn’t heard
anything.
“Are you listening to me, Joan?” Nancy pressed on.
“I did. I just never want to hear that woman’s name ever again.”
Joan was trying to hold onto her hard-earned lesson of “forgive and forget”, instead of reminiscing the
past.
She’d experienced negative emotions such as betrayal, pain, sadness, agony, and so forth for the first
time in her life all because of Gabriella.
“I’ve arrived!” Jessica’s voice suddenly called out loudly, snapping Joan back to reality.
“How’d you find the time to come visit? I thought you were swamped with work,” Nancy gasped,
wrapping an arm around Jessica’s shoulders.
“I’m here to visit my fiancé’s ex-wife, of course,” Jessica joked.
Joan’s mind blanked. She glanced at Nancy, then back at Jessica, feeling the atmosphere around them
grow tense.
The next second, both women burst out into laughter, leaving Joan reeling from shock.